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ORF has organised a series of major successful maritime environmental and heritage expeditions since its foundation in 1977 including five (5) Antarctic voyages, one circumnavigation of Australia and several smaller expeditions. The expeditions have been both historic and scientific. The major expeditions have been initiated by the wider Scientific Community. Cape Adare 1977 to 78In the formative years of the Oceanic Research Foundation, the yacht Solo was used for one Antarctic voyage to Cape Adare and the Balleny Islands, and one tropical voyage to Torres Strait. VOYAGE TO THE ICE -- SAILING TO THE BALLENY ISLANDS IN SOLO 1977/78 Expedition Aims The principal objective was to demonstrate that a small, well, but simply-equipped expedition, could make a low-cost expedition to Antarctica and gather worthwhile scientific data. ** NEW ** First ORF expedition photos - SOLO 1977 Map of the journey to CAPE ADARE Expedition Members David Lewis Lars Larsen Peter Donaldson Dot Smith Jack Pittar Ted Rayment Pieter Arriens Fritz Schaumberg The Vessel The vessel Solo was purchased by the ORF in October 1977. Solo was a well-known ocean-racing yacht, length 17.4 m. beam 4.4 m. draft 2.4 m. She was built of steel, yawl-rigged, and had been raced and cruised successfully by owner Vic Myers. Individual bunks were not available for the crew of eight. The engine was 100 HP diesel. The Expedition Outline and Brief Details The plan was to make landfall on the Antarctic continent in the vicinity of the Balleny Islands, explore that region, then move to Cape Adare and into the Ross Sea. Specimens were to be collected and observations made in accordance with the projects of the scientists on board. As it happened, the yacht sustained hull damage and returned to Sydney from Cape Adare, calling at Macquarie Island en route. SOLO left Sydney on December 15, 1977 and returned on March 4, 1978. Results of Scientific Work Project observations made during the voyage were listed by crew-member Dr. Peter Donaldson of the ANU, Canberra. Papers based on specimens and observations returned were presented by Elizabeth Kerry of the University of Melbourne, Dr. Patrick Quilty of Macquarie University, NSW, and Dr. Brian Embleton of the CSIRO, NSW. Details are given in the reference below. A survey of electrical equipment performance by Jack Pittar is contained in the same reference. References
Voyage to the Ice, The Antarctic Expedition of Solo, David Lewis, The Australian Broadcasting Commission/William Collins Sons & Co., Sydney, 1979.
Mawson Anniversary Expedition 1981 to 82This voyage to Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica was undertaken to commemorate the 100 anniversery of Mawson's birth. Scientific studies included penguin counts and glaciological studies.Click here for details Mawson Anniversary Expedition The Frozen Sea Expedition1982 to 84This major expedition over 16 months in a hostile Antarctic environment saw the vessel deliberately frozen in over a winter as a base for various studies. Coffs Harbour 1984 Songs of the Humpback WhalesA voyage to Coffs Harbour, NSW, was undertaken to observe the migration of these whales and to record their songs. Mawsons Huts 1984 to 85 Project BlizzardAn expedition to Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica, to report on the condition of Mawson's hut and make recommendations for its conservation. The Lapita Homeland ProjectAims of the Expedition The ORF was requested by the Faculty of Archaeology at the National University, Canberra, to provide transport for, and take part in, an expedition to the Bismarck Archipelago, north-east of New Guinea, to locate sites of the distinctive pottery of the Lapita people. The study would help to unravel the story of migration of tribes out of south-east Asia and across the Pacific Ocean. The ORF would also assist in locating a caldera (a volcanic underwater crater of great size) by mapping the seabed in a specific location. The scientists were drawn from lecturers at the ANU and were available for only a short period. The plan was that digging would be carried out at several sites at the one time, so reliable transport between sites was essential. The Dick Smith Explorer was able to carry out the complicated transportation process within the archipelago without failure, thus enabling the team to work a large number of sites during the digging season . The echo-sounder also revealed the existence of a caldera and enabled coarse measurements to be made.Description by Don Richards 24/9/04 The Flotsam and Jetsam Expedition 1986Expedition Aims The principal aim was to scour the beaches and shoreline of southern Tasmania for objects that were unusual to the area. In the process of doing this, observations of wildlife, aboriginal middens and other signs of previous populations were to be made. The ship`s crew would also gain experience in transporting field observers from the ship to the shore and return, under a variety of conditions. Results of Scientific Work The expedition was limited in time to the Easter break, plus a few days. However, the scientists reported very little pollution of the areas inspected, but that heavy rains or strong seas could quickly change that conclusion. Aboriginal middens were found and the stranding of whales seems to have been frequent. A return visit was planned for later that year or next. Extra time must be allowed for heavy weather. Description by Don Richards 24/9/04 Voyages to South West Tasmania 1986 to 87<Scientists sampled sand dunes for sand dune movement, gathered specimens of fresh water snails from the south coast and from streams running into Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour, surveyed the nutritional value of specific crustaceans in Port Davey, studied aboriginal middens and ochre caves, and surveyed beaches for evidence of pollution carried by the west wind drift. Bicentennial Antarctic Expedition to Mount Minto 1988The Oceanic Research Foundation's vessel provided access for a team of mountaineers to climb ' the loneliest mountain in the world' - Mount Minto in the Admiralty Range of Antarctica. Click here for details Mount Minto Expedition In the Wake of Flinders 1989A circumnavigation of Australia retracing the voyage of Matthew Flinders. Scientists were positioned for research and observations at various remote coast and offshore locations. Projects were as diverse as trapping nautilus off the Great Barrier Reef near Lizard Island, North Qeensland; surveying turtle-breeding islands off Arnhern Land; collecting samples for dating sand dunes along the Queensland coast; collecting intertidal flora and fauna between Weipa and Darwin and off the Kimberleys, searching for humpback whales off the Kimberley coast, an Australian sea lion census in the Recherche Archipelago, WA, and near Ceduna, SA. All the above voyages were undertaken in the Oceanic Research Foundation's present vessel the RV Dick Smith Explorer which has demonstrated its versatility and its ability to function in all conditions. Southern Sanctuary 1993Whale migratory investigations on the yacht Iniquity 1992 to 1993. High Latitudes Part One 2000Preliminary investigation of the anchorage in Commonwealth Bay. The Foundation sponsored a team from Sir Hubert Wilkins to confirm data collected and investigate local conditions in connection with the Steam Yacht Aurora’s anchorage used during the Australian Antarctic Expedition of 1912 1914. |